U.S. patent number 6,364,409 [Application Number 09/507,318] was granted by the patent office on 2002-04-02 for folding chair.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Coleman Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Richard Collins, David Emil Harnadek, Duane Michael Perpich, Jonathan Robert Saul.
United States Patent |
6,364,409 |
Saul , et al. |
April 2, 2002 |
Folding chair
Abstract
A folding chair includes collapsible rungs in a backrest and
seat permitting folding in two directions. Stability is further
enhanced by the upholstery which further forces the top rung of the
chair downward and the center rung rearward, making the chair rigid
in the open position. Siderails and back supports slide freely
along the chair's rear legs creating a folding mechanism that folds
the seat upwards while also pulling the rear leg upwards in the
same direction resulting in greater stability without increasing
the height of the folded package.
Inventors: |
Saul; Jonathan Robert (Erie,
MI), Perpich; Duane Michael (Ida, MI), Harnadek; David
Emil (Franklin, MI), Collins; David Richard (Ida,
MI) |
Assignee: |
The Coleman Company, Inc.
(Wichita, KS)
|
Family
ID: |
24018152 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/507,318 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/16.2; 297/39;
297/42; 297/44; 297/45; 297/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
4/286 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
4/00 (20060101); A47C 4/48 (20060101); A47C
004/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/16.2,42,44,45,52,39 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cuomo; Peter M.
Assistant Examiner: White; Rodney B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chair, comprising:
a seat portion including a first releasably lockable rung that
releases in a first direction;
a back portion including a second releasably lockable rung that
releases in a second direction, the back portion being movably
attached to the seat portion;
a leg portion coupled to the back portion and the seat portion;
and
an arm portion coupled to the leg portion,
wherein the first direction differs from the second direction.
2. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the first releasably
lockable rung and the second releasably lockable rung each
include:
a first end rung portion;
a second end rung portion; and
a center rung portion movably coupled to the first end rung portion
and the second end rung portion.
3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the center rung portion
includes a gripping element.
4. The chair according to claim 2 wherein the center rung portion
is movably coupled via a releasably lockable hinge joint.
5. The chair according to claim 4, wherein the releasably lockable
hinge joint includes slotted portions formed in each of the ends of
the center rung portion and each of the ends of the first end rung
portion and the second end rung portion, the slotted portions
shaped to limit the range of movement of the center rung portion
and each of the first end rung portion and second end rung portion
between a folded state and releasably locked state.
6. The chair according to claim 4 wherein the releasably lockable
hinge joint includes one of a tendon joint and a lap joint.
7. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the first releasably
lockable rung and the second releasably lockable rung are
curved.
8. A chair, comprising:
a seat portion including a first releasably lockable rung;
a back portion including a second releasably lockable rung;
a leg portion coupled to the back portion and the seat portion;
an arm portion coupled to the leg portion; and
an upholstery member coupled to the first releasably lockable rung
and the second releasably lockable rung.
9. A chair, comprising:
a seat portion including a first releasably lockable rung;
a back portion including a second releasably lockable rung;
a leg portion coupled to the back portion and the seat portion;
and
an arm portion coupled to the leg portion;
wherein the leg portion includes a first front leg, a first rear
leg, a second front leg and a second rear leg, an upper end of each
rear leg and each front leg being pivotally coupled to the arm
portion.
10. The chair according to claim 9, comprising:
a first slide pivot member disposed around the first rear leg and
slidably movable along the first rear leg;
a second slide pivot member disposed around the second rear leg and
slidably movable along the second rear leg;
a first pivot member disposed around the first rear leg and
slidably movable along the first rear leg above the first slide
pivot member;
a second pivot member disposed around the second rear leg and
slidably movable along the second rear leg above the second slide
pivot member;
a first crossrail member pivotally connected at one end to the
first slide pivot member and pivotally connected at the other end
to the second pivot member; and
a second crossrail member pivotally connected at one end to the
second slide pivot member and pivotally connected at the other end
to the first pivot member.
11. The chair according to claim 10, wherein the first and second
crossrail members are pivotally connected at an approximately
center position.
12. The chair according to claim 9, wherein the arm portion
includes a first arm member pivotally coupled to the first front
leg and to the first rear leg and a second arm member pivotally
coupled to the second front leg and to the second rear leg.
13. The chair according to claim 1, wherein the back portion
includes a first back support member and a second back support
member coupled to the second releasably lockable rung, and wherein
the seat portion includes a first seat support member and a second
seat support member coupled to the first releasably lockable rung.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a folding chair, and more
specifically to a portable folding chair designed to fold in two
directions for easier transport and compact storage.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Folding chairs can be found in a wide variety of outdoor
recreational settings. From beach resorts to suburban backyards,
people enjoy the portability and ease of storage of these
chairs.
Known to the art are chairs that fold in two directions, often
referred to as a quad chair, i.e., the seat folds in towards the
backrests and the sides fold in towards each other. However, prior
art chairs that fold in two directions achieve their compactness by
eliminating rungs from the backrest and seat frames, with the
primary support for a user being provided by the upholstery. This
decreases the level of seat and back support, sacrificing comfort
and stability.
Also known to the art are folding chairs that employ longer rear
legs which extend rearward past the backrest. This design provides
greater stability to the unfolded chair. However, prior art folding
mechanisms fold the seat upward and push the rear leg downwards in
the opposite direction. The result is a taller, less compact
package when the chair is folded.
Thus there exists a need in the art for a chair that folds in two
directions into a compact package that also provides enhanced seat
and back support. There is also a need in the art for a chair that
provides the stability offered by a rear leg that extends past the
back of the chair and that also folds into a shorter package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A folding chair, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, makes use of collapsible rungs in a backrest and
seat, permitting the chair to fold compactly in two directions
while providing better back and seat support than is found in the
prior art. The stability of the present invention is further
enhanced by the chair's upholstery which, when mounted, further
forces the top rung of the chair downward and the center rung
rearward, making the chair very rigid in the open position,
especially when being used. Moreover, the siderails and back
supports slide freely along the chair's rear legs, creating a
folding mechanism that folds the seat upward while also pulling the
rear leg upward in the same direction. Thus the rear legs extend
past the back of the chair for greater stability in the unfolded
state without increasing the height of the chair in its folded
state, resulting in a very compact package.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a folding chair in its unfolded
state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a folding chair in its unfolded
state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a close up view of a releasably lockable hinge
joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a folding chair with upholstery attached
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a folding chair in its folded state according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a tendon joint according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a lap joint according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the present invention will be described, and for
purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in
the art that the present invention may be practiced without these
specific details. Furthermore, well known features have been
omitted or simplified in order to prevent obscuring the present
invention.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a folding chair 100 in its unfolded state. Top
rung 130 and center rung 170 are each made up of, for example,
three separate segments 130a-c and 170a-c, respectively, pivotally
connected to one another with releasably lockable hinge joints 300.
A releasably lockable hinge joint 300 may be a tendon joint,
depicted in FIG. 6, or a lap joint, depicted in FIG. 7, or any
standard or suitable joint known to the art that functions as a
releasably lockable hinge joint 300, indicated for example in the
dotted box. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a lap joint differs from a
tendon joint in the type of hinge used. The hinge on a lap joint
has, for example, two fingers 710a and 720a that are pivotally
interconnected. The hinge on a tendon joint has, for example, four
fingers 610a-b and 620a-b which pivotally interconnect by
overlapping each other such that, for example, finger 610b fits
between fingers 620a and 620b, and finger 620b fits between fingers
610a and 610b.
Each end of rung segments 130a-c and 170a-c, which may be composed
of, for example, injection molded plastic or cast aluminum, are,
for example, pivotally connected with releasably lockable hinge
joints 300. End segments 130a and 130c and 170a and 170c are also
pivotally connected by way of releasably lockable hinge joints 300
to tube caps 120, which may be composed of, for example, injection
molded plastic or cast aluminum. An exemplary releasably lockable
hinge joint is depicted in FIG. 3. Segments 130a-c and 170a-c are
preferably curved as shown in FIG. 1, but may also be straight.
FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 depict respectively closer views of a releasably
lockable hinge joint 300, a tendon joint 600, and a lap joint 700
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Segment 310, 610, 710 which may be a tube cap 120 or another rung
segment (e.g., 130b-c or 170b-c) , moves with respect to segment
320, 620, 720 which may also be a tube cap 120 or another rung
segment (e.g., 130a-b or 170a-b), about an axis of rotation 330,
630, 730. Rotation of segment 310, 610, 710 with respect to segment
320, 620, 720 is stopped, for example, when segment 310, 610, 710
comes into contact with position block 340, 640, 740, which is, for
example, a surface of a slot or notch cut into the ends of segments
310, 320, 610, 620, 710, 720 at the portion where each of the
segments interconnect. For example, the slot or notch is shaped to
limit the range of rotation to only one direction and to halt the
rotation when a segment 310, 320, 610, 620, 710, 720 comes into
contact with a side of the slotted or notched portion which serves
as a position block 340, 640, 740. Thus position block 340, 640,
740 of releasably lockable hinge joint 300, 600, 700 limits the
range of rotation of each of the segments 310, 320, 610, 620, 710,
720 of top rung 130 or center rung 170 with respect to one another,
halting the rotation at a predetermined critical angle. The
critical angle is set, for example, as a function of the dimensions
of position block 340, 640, 740. Different critical angles may be
employed to modify the shape of top rung 130 and center rung 170,
for example, to make the rungs 130 and 170 more curved, less
curved, or straight, thus varying the overall width of the chair
100.
When chair 100 is in its unfolded state, for example as shown in
FIG. 1, an upward force applied to top rung 130, such as by a
person pulling upward on center rung segment 130b of the rung 130,
causes the rung segments 130a-c of top rung 130 to pivot or rotate
with respect to one another. As a result, rung segments 130a and
130c will depend downwards from center rung segment 130b.
Similarly, a user pulling upward or forward on center rung segment
170b would cause rung segments 170a and 170c to depend downward
from rung segment 170b.
By contrast, when a downward force is applied to top rung 130 or a
rearward force is applied to rung 170, the movement of the rung
segments 130a-c or 170a-c is stopped by the action of position
blocks 340 of releasably lockable hinge joint 300.
Thus, for example, in the unfolded state, top rung 130 will remain
rigid in response to a force applied to the rung in a downward
direction, and will bend in response to a force applied in the
upward direction. Similarly, center rung 170 will remain rigid in
response to a force applied to rung 170 in a rearward direction,
but will collapse in response to a force applied in the forward
direction. According to an embodiment of the present invention,
movement of rungs 130 and 170 in the upward direction to fold the
chair cause movement of the seat portion toward the back portion as
well as movement of the arm portions of the chair towards each
other.
A backrest according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is made up of, for example, two back supports 140, which
may be composed of, for example, aluminum tubing. The top ends of
back supports 140 are, for example, rigidly connected to a tube cap
120 which is in turn pivotally connected to the ends of a top rung
130 by way of a releasably lockable hinge joint 300. A seat frame
is made up of, for example, two side rails 230, which may be
composed of, for example, aluminum tubing. The forward ends of side
rails 230 are rigidly connected to tube caps 120 which are in turn
pivotally connected to the ends of a center rung 170 (e.g. 170a,
170c) by way of a releasably lockable hinge joint 300.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, bottom ends of back supports 140 and
rear ends of side rails 230 are, for example, each pivotally
connected to a slide pivot 190. A slide pivot 190, which may be
composed of, for example, injection molded plastic or cast
aluminum, is disposed around each rear leg 220 such that rear legs
220 pass through slide pivots 190. Similarly, a pivot 180, which
may be composed of, for example, injection molded plastic or cast
aluminum, disposed around each rear leg 220, such that rear legs
220 also may pass through pivots 180.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, each pivot 180 is, for example,
pivotally connected to one end of a crossrail 110, which may be
composed of, for example, aluminum tubing, and slides freely along
a respective upper portion of rear leg 220. Pivotally connected to
the other end of each crossrail 110 is the bottom portion of a
slide pivot 190. Slide pivot 190 slides freely along the lower
portion of rear legs 220. Crossrails 110 also may be pivotally
connected to one another at their approximate centers. Thus, pivots
180, slide pivots 190 and crossrails 110 form a scissors-like
structure that opens and closes by sliding along the rear legs 220
of chair 100. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that
this scissors-like structure, which slides along rear legs 220,
provides support by which chair 100 maintains its unfolded state,
and provides the mechanism by which the sides of chair 100 fold
inwards.
Front legs 210 and rear legs 220 may be composed of, for example,
aluminum tubing. The top ends of rear legs 220 and the top ends of
front legs 210 are, for example, pivotally connected to a forward
portion of arm rests 150 such that each front leg 210 shares a
common vertex and a common pivoting connector with a rear leg 220.
The rear portion of arm rests 150 are pivotally connected, for
example, to the center portion of back supports 140. Front legs 210
are pivotally connected, for example, to side rails 230 at the
approximate front portion of side rails 230.
Referring to FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, upholstery 410, which may be composed of, for
example, nylon or polyester, is fastened to top rung 130, for
example, at 415 and 420, and is also fastened to center rung 170 at
425 and 430. FIG. 4 also depicts use of gripping elements 131, 171
for gripping the center rungs 130b, 170b. Upholstery 410 is further
connected to back supports 140, for example using loops at 435,
440, 445, and 450, and to side rails 230 using loops at 455 and
460. Other conventional fastening means to connect the upholstery
to the frame may be used. The weight of a person sitting in chair
100 further applies a downward tension to upper rung 130 at loops
415 and 420, while simultaneously applying a rearward tension to
center rung 170 at loops 425 and 430. These tension forces add to
the stability of chair 100, making the chair 100 very rigid in the
operi position when being used.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, folding chair 100 folds in one direction by
lifting center rung 170 up towards top rung 130 until side rails
230 are substantially parallel and closely spaced to back supports
140. This folding action raises arm rests 150 to a position
substantially parallel to and closely spaced to side rails 230 and
back supports 140, while pulling rear legs 220 upward through slide
pivots 190. As rear legs 220 slide upward through slide pivots 190
and pivots 180, front legs 210 pivot towards rear legs 220 such
that legs 210 and 220 are substantially parallel and closely spaced
to one another. FIG. 5 illustrates a folding chair in the folded
state.
Lifting center rung 170 up towards top rung 130 simultaneously
releases any tension applied by the upholstery to upper rung 130
and center rung 170. This allows rungs 130 and 170 to fold, the
right and left segments (e.g. 170a, 170c, 130a, and 130c) of the
rungs bending towards each other until the segments are
substantially parallel to one another and substantially
perpendicular to the center segments.
As rungs 130 and 170 fold, rear legs 220 move inwards towards each
other, causing the top end of each crossrail 110 to slide upward
along rear leg 220 via pivot 180, and the bottom end of each
crossrail 110 to slide downwards along rear legs 220 via the
attachment to slide pivot 190. Since crossrails 110 also may be
pivotally connected at their approximate center, crossrails 110
pivot with respect to one another until each crossrail 110 is
substantially parallel to the other, and substantially vertical
with respect to the ground.
Referring to FIG. 5, the sides of chair 100 fold in towards each
other, creating a very compact folded state, in which side rails
230, back supports 140, rear legs 220, front legs 210, crossrails
110, and armrests 160 are all substantially parallel and closely
spaced to one another. FIG. 5 depicts the folded state of chair
100.
It has been shown that folding chair 100, by making use of
collapsible rungs 130 and 170, folds compactly in two directions
while providing better back and seat support than is found in the
prior art. The stability of chair 100 is enhanced by upholstery
410, which forces top rung 130 downward and center rung 170
rearward, making chair 100 very rigid in the open position,
especially when being used. Moreover, by allowing the seat frame
and backrest frame to slide along the rear leg via slide pivot 190
and pivot 180, the rear leg can be extended past the back for
greater stability without sacrificing compactness.
* * * * *